Southeastern Council Proceedings

Volume 1 Number 51 Number 51 (December 2009) Article 4

12-1-2009

The Desperate Dozen: Southeastern Freshwater Fishes on the Brink

Bernard R. Kuhajda

Anna L. George

James D. Williams

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Recommended Citation Kuhajda, Bernard R.; George, Anna L.; and Williams, James D. (2009) "The Desperate Dozen: Southeastern Freshwater Fishes on the Brink," Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings: No. 51.

Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/sfcproceedings/vol1/iss51/4

This Original Research Article is brought to you for free and open access by Volunteer, Open Access, Library Journals (VOL Journals), published in partnership with The University of Tennessee (UT) University Libraries. This article has been accepted for inclusion in Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings by an authorized editor. For more information, please visit https://trace.tennessee.edu/sfcproceedings. The Desperate Dozen: Southeastern Freshwater Fishes on the Brink

This original research article is available in Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings: https://trace.tennessee.edu/ sfcproceedings/vol1/iss51/4 December 2009 Kuhajda et al. – The Desperate Dozen

The Desperate Dozen: Southeastern Freshwater Fishes on the Brink

BERNARD R. KUHAJDA 1, ANNA L. GEORGE 2, AND JAMES D. WILLIAMS 3

1Department of Biological Sciences, Box 870345, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0345, Email [email protected]. 2Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, PO Box 11048, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37401-2048, Email [email protected]. 3Florida Museum of Natural History, University of , Museum Road and Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611, Email [email protected].

THE DESPERATE DOZEN: AN INTRODUCTION We created the initial list of the most imperiled south - eastern fishes by using listed as Endangered or Aquatic have experienced dramatic declines in Threatened by Warren et al. (2000), eliminating those recent decades (Abell et al., 2000). There are currently 582 species outside of the range of the Southeast as defined by species of animals on the Federal list of Endangered and the Southeastern Fishes Council (SFC) constitution. Threatened species, of which 268 (46%) are found in fresh - Species described since 2000 were added to the list, but water habitats. Of the diverse assemblage of 675 fishes undescribed species were not included in the ranking. found in southeastern waters, more than a quarter are con - Lists of imperilment created by the U.S. and Wildlife sidered imperiled (Warren et al., 2000). While all of the Service (USFWS) or state wildlife agencies were not con - Earth’s ecosystems are threatened to some extent, fresh - sulted in SFC’s identification of the Desperate Dozen fish - water habitats are recognized to be at severe risk because es at any stage of the process. The Southeastern Fishes of their scarcity and the high demands placed on them by Council Executive Committee (SFC ExCom) was asked to humans (Vitousek, 1997; Wood et al., 2000; Postel, 2002). review and rank the initial list of 40 species. Criteria used The combined effects of agriculture, damming, , for ranking, in of importance, were distribution, construction, logging, overharvest, and pollution are number of populations, low abundance, and severity of destroying this critical resource for animals, plants, and threats. Species were not chosen to represent a broad geo - even humanity itself (Master, 1990; Richter et al., 1997). graphic or taxonomic spectrum, nor based on the ease or This major conservation crisis calls for immediate action potential success of their recovery. to conserve and protect the remaining populations and Through this ranking system, the SFC ExCom devel - their habitats. oped a list of 14 potential Desperate Dozen species, with a When resources are limited, one of the most important brief synopsis on the status of each. This list was sent to steps in conservation is prioritization (Master, 1991; four reviewers. Two responded with their ranking of the Possingham et al., 2002). We sought to determine where potential species and included three other species to con - immediate conservation actions were needed to prevent sider. The SFC ExCom then ranked these 17 species, all loss of native southeastern freshwater fish diversity. We listed as Endangered in the latest list of the conservation decided to focus our efforts on the Desperate Dozen fish - status of imperiled freshwater fishes of North America es, the 12 species that local and regional experts would (Jelks et al., 2008). The 12 most highly ranked species identify as the most likely to become extinct in the from the SFC ExCom and external reviewers were select - Southeast. Our goal is to use this list to raise awareness of ed as the Desperate Dozen. After the ranking based on the plight of freshwater habitats in the Southeast, including level of imperilment, species were arranged in phylogenet - , creeks, wetlands, springs, and caves (Abell et al., ic order so that all would receive equal attention. We con - 2000). By highlighting these 12 species, ranging from the tacted experts on each species to provide the following spring ( Elassoma alabamae ) to the brief accounts on the Desperate Dozen, which include Alabama sturgeon ( Scaphirhynchus suttkusi ), we hope to background, distribution, abundance, threats, and pro - encourage partnerships to address the needs of our fresh - posed conservation actions. water animals and hopefully prevent them from slipping into extinction. 10 SFC PROCEEDINGS No. 51

THE DESPERATE DOZEN : important in times of economic shortfalls (Selin and Chevez, 1995; Heathcote, 1998). Other commonly recom - ALABAMA STURGEON , Scaphirhynchus suttkusi mended conservation actions for the Desperate Dozen SLENDER CHUB , cahni include monitoring abundance, assessing water quality CHUCKY , Noturus crypticus and quantity, surveying for additional populations, devel - ALABAMA , Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni oping propagation programs, and examining the genetic PYGMY SCULPIN , paulus diversity within and between populations (Table 3). DIAMOND DARTER , cincotta Only 8 of the Desperate Dozen are listed by the VERMILION DARTER , chermocki USFWS: 5 are Endangered and 3 are considered RELICT DARTER , Etheostoma chienense Threatened. Two are Candidate species for listing and 2 BAYOU DARTER , Etheostoma rubrum have no federal status (Table 4). Of the 8 listed species, PEARL DARTER , aurora only 4 have critical habitat determined and 6 have CONASAUGA , Percina jenkinsi approved recovery plans. We encourage the use of all , Elassoma alabamae available recovery options under the Act to begin the process of habitat restoration and recov - The Desperate Dozen is represented by taxa that ery for these species. belong to seven families of fishes: a sturgeon At every stage of this process, it was clear that many (Acipenseridae), a minnow (), a other fishes also deserved to be on a list of species in a des - (), a cavefish (), a sculpin perate need for conservation action. While our call to (), six darters (), and a pygmy sunfish action is targeted at only 12 species, the principles behind (Elassomatidae). Five species are restricted to Alabama, their recovery must be applied throughout Southeastern two in , and one each in Kentucky, Tennessee, drainages. Without immediate, coordinated action, the and West Virginia. Two species are found in two states: the Southeast stands to lose far more than just the Desperate slender chub ( E. cahni ) in Tennessee and Virginia and the Dozen. Conasauga logperch ( P. jenkinsi ) in Tennessee and Georgia (Fig.1). Seven species have always been restrict - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ed to a small area, some to a single spring or cave, while four were historically wider ranging. Half of the Desperate We would like to thank the World Wildlife Fund and Dozen occupy smaller bodies of water (e.g., springs, cave the particular help of Judy Takats for their support of this pools, creeks), while the other half live in medium and project. All fish illustrations were drawn by Joe Tomelleri. large rivers (Table 1). The main threat for all of these Special thanks to the Florida Museum of Natural History, species is their relatively restricted ranges, where one Tennessee Aquarium, University of Alabama, and the acute pollution or event could cause Region 4 Field and Regional Offices of the U.S. Fish and extinction (Johnson, 1998; Purvis et al., 2000). Habitat Wildlife Service. alteration also impacts all species, from dams, channeliza - tion, and head-cutting in rivers and creeks to pumping of groundwater and the presence of impervious surfaces in Scaphirhynchus suttkusi – Alabama Sturgeon recharge areas for caves and springs (Richter et al., 1996; Watters, 1999; Wenger et al., 2008). All of these habitat Background: One of the rarest vertebrates globally, the alterations potentially lead to population fragmentation Alabama sturgeon is the smallest of eight North American (Dynesius and Nilsson, 1994; Richter et al., 1997). Water sturgeon species (maximum 30.7 in [78 cm] fork length). pollution, especially sedimentation, is also a pervasive Its description in 1991 (Williams and Clemmer, 1991) was problem for all Desperate Dozen species (Table 2). The followed by years of controversy regarding its taxonomic recent severe drought in the southeastern U.S. coupled status even though numerous morphological and genetic with burgeoning human population growth has placed studies support its validity as a species (Mayden and additional stress on aquatic habitats (Manuel, 2008). Kuhajda, 1996; Campton et al., 2000; Simons et al., 2001; While each Desperate Dozen species has its own spe - Ray et al., 2007). The Alabama sturgeon was federally list - cific set of threats, many proposed conservation actions ed as Endangered in 2000 (USFWS, 2000a) and critical are similar. Those species occupying smaller habitats and habitat was designated in 2009 (USFWS, 2009). This ranges can greatly benefit from a watershed management species is state protected in Alabama (ALDWFF, 2007) and plan that involves all public and private stakeholders in considered a species of Highest Conservation Concern mitigating current conditions that contribute to habitat (Kuhajda, 2004a). degradation and planning for wise future development (Leach et al., 2002; Bohn and Kershner, 2002). Watershed Distribution: Historical collection records and reports management plans require cooperation and coordination indicate the range of the Alabama sturgeon encompassed between municipal, state, federal, and non-government 1600 km of large rivers, including the Black Warrior, agencies, but can be relatively inexpensive, which is very Tombigbee, Alabama, Cahaba, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Mobile,

11 December 2009 Kuhajda et al. – The Desperate Dozen and Tensaw rivers (Burke and Ramsey, 1995). Currently it Erimystax cahni – Slender Chub occupies only 524 km of its historical range in the lower Cahaba and Alabama River in south Alabama Background: The slender chub (maximum 3.7 in [94 mm] (USFWS, 2009). total length [TL]) was described in 1956 (Hubbs and Crowe, 1956). At that time it had not been collected in 17 Abundance: No population estimates available; very rare. years, but it was rediscovered in the Powell River in 1964 An estimated 19,000 Alabama sturgeon were commercially (Davis and Reno, 1966). The slender chub was listed as harvested in 1898 (Mayden and Kuhajda, 1996), indicating federally Threatened with critical habitat designated in an abundant historic population. However, very little 1977 (USFWS, 1977). A recovery plan has been developed information on abundance existed between 1898 and the (USFWS, 1983) and relationships within the have early 1980s, although collection data and anecdotal been determined (Harris, 1986; Simons, 2004). It is cur - reports indicated a general decline in abundance (USFWS, rently listed by Tennessee and Virginia as Threatened 2005a). Sampling efforts in the mid-1980s yielded only six (TDEC, 2004; VDGIF, 1987). Previous conservation actions Alabama sturgeon (Burke and Ramsey, 1985) with an addi - include a status review (Burkhead and Jenkins, 1982) and tional five specimens collected from 1997 to 1999 (Rider several status surveys (see below). and Hartfield, 2007). Over the last nine years only two specimens have been collected, one captured and released Distribution: Historically known from the Clinch, in the lower Cahaba River in 2000 and the other captured, Powell, and Holston rivers in the upper Tennessee River sonic tagged, and released below Claiborne Lock and Dam drainage, northeastern Tennessee, and southwestern in 2007. Virginia. In the past quarter century the slender chub has been known from fewer than 100 river km in the Powell Threats: Extremely small population size increases vul - and Clinch rivers in Tennessee and Virginia (Harris, 1986; nerability to extinction. Historic unrestricted commercial Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Jenkins and Burkhead, 1994). harvesting likely triggered the initial decline of the Alabama sturgeon (USFWS, 2005a). Thereafter, years of Abundance: No population estimates available; very rare. habitat alteration proved detrimental, with large dams and Through 1987, a total of only ~420 individuals had been navigation locks fragmenting free-flowing riverine habitats collected as a result of ~90–100 collecting efforts in the into a series of impoundments. These structures block Clinch and Powell rivers (Hubbs and Crowe, 1956; Davis migratory routes to spawning grounds and disrupt natural and Reno, 1966; Burkhead and Jenkins, 1982; Jenkins and flow patterns leading to unsuitable conditions for feeding Burkhead, 1991; R. Mayden, pers. comm.). Eight speci - and larval development. Extensive dredging in the Mobile mens were captured in a single collection in 1987 in the Basin has reduced or eliminated stable substrates, shoal Clinch River (R. Mayden pers. comm.), but since then only areas, snags, channel sinuosity, and heterogeneous flows a single specimen has been collected (1996, D. Etnier pers. (USFWS, 2000b). comm.) in the Clinch River. Despite intensive efforts dur - ing favorable conditions in both the Clinch and Powell Proposed Conservation Actions: rivers, including over 740 person-hours effort since 2000, 1. Continue tracking of sonic tagged individual to identify no additional specimens have been found. new sampling sites and provide information on current habitat requirements. Threats: Reduced range increases vulnerability to extinc - 2. Continue sampling for viable adults to establish propa - tion. Severe chronic and acute water pollution from facto - gation program. ries, sewage, and coal mines, excessive sedimentation from agricultural runoff, and gravel removal threaten slen - 3. Pursue fish passage at the 3 U.S. Army Corps of der chub populations and habitat. The highly porous karst Engineers (USACE) hydro and navigation projects on geology and relatively narrow elevate nutrients the Alabama River. and pollutants leeching into the Clinch and Powell rivers 4. Develop a baseline water quality model for the Alabama (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Jenkins and Burkhead, 1994). River. 5. Protect and maintain current habitat conditions. Proposed Conservation Actions: 1. Continue to conduct surveys in order to determine the Contact Information: Steven J. Rider, Alabama Division status of this species. of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 64 N. Union Street, 2. Determine the causes of decline, using a surrogate Suite 551, Montgomery, AL 36130; Phone: (334) 844-8978; species if necessary, and minimize or eliminate threats E-mail: [email protected]. utilizing legal mechanisms to protect the species and its habitat (i.e., land acquisition and conservation ease - Other Contributing Author: Jeffrey R. Powell, U.S. Fish ments; controlling or restricting , pollution, and and Wildlife Service, Alabama Ecological Services Field poor agricultural practice). Office, Daphne, AL. 3. If individuals are collected, determine the best methods 12 SFC PROCEEDINGS No. 51

for protecting and increasing the population numbers drainage in Alabama (Piney Creek and Flint and Paint (e.g., captive propagation and reintroduction of adults Rock rivers), but positive identification of specimens is or juveniles or both). not possible due to extreme fading of pigments (Burr et al., 4. Address potential genetic concerns, such as possible 2005). hybridization. Abundance: No population estimates are available, but 5. Gather life history information, including specific inver - N. crypticus is very rare and both temporally and spatial - tebrate food items and critical food population levels ly patchy within its known range. The largest collection, necessary for the slender chub, which are currently nine specimens from the two Little Chucky Creek sites unknown. over two days, was made in 1994 and, despite intensive field surveys by several independent groups, only three Contact Information: J. R. Shute, Conservation specimens have been captured since (1 in 2000 and 2 in Fisheries, Inc., 3424 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919; 2004, for a total of 14 known specimens) (Burr and Phone: (865) 521-6665; Email: [email protected]. Eisenhour, 1994; Shute et al., 1997; Lang et al., 2001; 2005; Weber and Layzer, 2007). Other Contributing Authors: Melissa A. Petty, Conservation Fisheries, Inc., Knoxville, Threats: Extremely small range increases its vulnerability TN. to extinction. Sedimentation from poor agricultural prac - Patrick L. Rakes, Conservation Fisheries, Inc., Knoxville, tices, including due to removal of riparian vegeta - TN. tion and livestock access to the streambed have visibly degraded habitat in Little Chucky Creek (USFWS, 2005b). It is also possible that chemical contamination from agri - Noturus crypticus – Chucky Madtom cultural runoff has an adverse effect, including chemical noise interfering with the chemosensitivity of Background: The distinctiveness of the Chucky madtom, (Etnier and Jenkins, 1980). a small catfish (maximum size 2.9 in [74 mm] TL), was noted in 1969 (Taylor, 1969), but the species was not Proposed Conservation Actions: described until 2005 when additional comparative materi - 1. Within the Little Chucky Creek watershed, it is impera - al became available (Burr et al., 2005). This species is list - tive that the successful Partners for Fish and Wildlife ed as Endangered by the state of Tennessee (TDEC, 2004). projects are monitored, supported, and extended to Federal listing of N. crypticus as the undescribed Chucky new areas. The focus of these agreements has been and madtom was first discussed in 1994 (USFWS, 1994a) and should continue to be improvement of stream condi - was given official Candidate status 12 years later (USFWS, tions via a watershed management plan. 2002). Original listing priority for N. crypticus was level 2 2. A captive breeding program must be developed so it and has not changed through subsequent reviews can be activated quickly upon the capture of additional (USWFS, 2004; 2005b; 2006; 2007a). The USFWS has fund - specimens. ed multiple surveys and worked with the Middle Nolichucky Watershed Association on an action plan for 3. There should be a continuous and intensive survey Little Chucky Creek. Seven Partners for Fish and Wildlife effort throughout the French Broad River system that projects have been completed in the Little Chucky Creek utilizes a wide variety of sampling methods throughout watershed with support from the Greene County Soil the year. Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Contact Information: Nicholas J. Lang, Division of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. These projects Fishes, Department of Zoology, Field Museum of Natural have installed riparian fencing, stabilized banks, and creat - History, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605- ed alternate water sources for livestock. 2496; Phone: (312) 665-7025; Email: oligocephalus @gmail.com. Distribution: Historically known from only two streams in the French Broad River system of the upper Tennessee Other Contributing Authors: River drainage in northeastern Tennessee. It is considered Patrick L. Rakes, Conservation Fisheries Inc., Knoxville, extirpated from Dunn Creek (Little Pigeon River system, TN. Sevier Co., TN) where a single specimen was collected in J. R. Shute, Conservation Fisheries Inc., Knoxville, TN. 1940, and is known recently (1991–2004) from two sites separated by 3 river km in Little Chucky Creek (Nolichucky River system, Greene Co., TN). The species may also have been found in the middle Tennessee River

13 December 2009 Kuhajda et al. – The Desperate Dozen

Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni – Alabama Cavefish 4. Unsurveyed caves in the vicinity of Key Cave that have pools should be examined for additional populations of Background: The rarest and most cave-adapted of only Alabama cavefish. five species of North American , the Alabama cavefish (maximum size 2.8 in [70 mm] TL) is white, lacks Contact Information: Bernard Kuhajda, Department of eyes and pelvic fins, and has a snout with a bill-like appear - Biological Sciences, Box 870345, University of Alabama, ance (Kuhajda, 2004b). It was described in 1974 (Cooper Tuscaloosa, AL 34587-0345; Phone: (205) 348-1822; Email: and Kuehne, 1974), listed as federally Threatened with crit - [email protected]. ical habitat in 1977 (USFWS, 1977), and reclassified as Endangered in 1988 (USFWS, 1988). A revised recovery plan was approved in 1990 (USFWS, 1990). The Alabama Cottus paulus – Pygmy Sculpin cavefish is state protected in Alabama (ALDWFF, 2007) and considered a species of Highest Conservation Concern Background: The smallest sculpin in North America (Kuhajda, 2004b). Previous conservation actions include (rarely greater than 1.5 in [38 mm] standard length [SL]), status surveys in the 1980s, 1990s, and most recently in the pygmy sculpin was originally described as Cottus pyg - 2008-09, and the establishment of the Key Cave National maeus in 1968 (Williams, 1968) and renamed as C. paulus Wildlife Refuge in the high recharge area of the Key Cave in 2000 (Williams, 2000). It was listed as federally aquifer (Kuhajda and Mayden, 2001; Kuhajda, 2004b). Threatened in 1989 (USFWS, 1989a), is state protected in Alabama (ALDWFF, 2007), and considered a species of Distribution: Restricted to Key Cave in Lauderdale Highest Conservation Concern (Stiles and Warren, 2004). County in northwestern Alabama within the Tennessee Previous conservation actions include implementation of a River drainage (Kuhajda and Mayden, 2001). minimum daily flow of the spring and water quality moni - toring within the spring recharge area. Studies on pygmy Abundance: Extremely rare with a total population esti - sculpin have included population monitoring, habitat use mated to be less than 100 individuals. The maximum num - (Johnston, 2001), reproductive biology (Johnston, 2000) ber observed during a single visit to the cave was 10 indi - and competitive interactions with variable crayfish viduals (Kuhajda and Mayden, 2001). (Cambarus latimanus ; Johnston 2003) and banded sculpin ( Cottus carolinae ). Threats: Extremely small native range, subterranean spe - cialization, and complete reliance on Key Cave aquifer Distribution: Restricted to Coldwater Spring and spring increases vulnerability to extinction. The Key Cave run in east-central Alabama in the Coosa River drainage. aquifer and recharge area are threatened by urban and industrial growth which can lead to lowering of water Abundance: Approximately 25,000 individuals in the table, diminished winter flows (cues to synchronize spring pool and 2,500 in the spring run. spawning), and acute and chronic water pollution (Kuhajda, 2004c). Disruption of the ( Myotis gris - Threats: Extremely small native range and complete escens ) colony could interrupt critical nutrients entering dependence on Coldwater Spring aquifer increases vulner - the deep cave ecosystem (Kuhajda, 2004b; 2004c). ability to extinction. Although it is protected in the spring with an agreement between USFWS and the Anniston Proposed Conservation Actions: Water Works and Sewer Board (which removes less than 1. Protect Key Cave aquifer by more precisely delineating half of the 32 million gallons per day outflow), groundwa - the recharge area and by using a management plan that ter contamination is a concern from the nearby Anniston addresses urban and industrial growth and agricultural Army Depot where hazardous compounds are stored practices within the unprotected recharge area to pre - (USFWS, 1991). Banded sculpin, which are excluded from vent lowering of water table, diminished winter flows the spring pool by a weir, are a potential predation threat (cues to synchronize spawning), and acute and chronic to pygmy sculpin in the spring pool. Predation or compe - water pollution. This includes consistent networking tition with this species, together with limited habitat and and collaboration between federal and state agencies, changes in water quality, may limit the population size of non-government organizations, local governments and pygmy sculpin in the spring run and its distribution in businesses, and private landowners to formulate Coldwater Creek. unique strategies to protect groundwater. 2. Establish regular status surveys for Alabama cavefish Proposed Conservation Actions: and gray bats and monitor water quality and quantity in 1. Continue to develop and implement methods for Key Cave to detect any issues in a timely manner. removal of contaminants from Dry Creek and the 3. Gather additional population and life history informa - recharge area of the aquifer. Environmental Protection tion for the Alabama cavefish. Agency, USFWS, and the U.S. Army are working

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towards decreasing the threat of groundwater contam - Proposed Conservation Actions: ination. 1. Conduct additional sampling and monitoring of the Elk 2. Continue working with Anniston Water Works and River population to assess occupancy rates and further Sewer Board to maintain minimum spring flows. define its range. Continue water quality monitoring (Coldwater Spring) 2. Sample additional streams within the and groundwater monitoring by other agencies (wells drainage where populations were previously present. throughout spring recharge area and Dry Creek). 3. Initiate a captive breeding program if and when appro - 3. Establish a monitoring program for pygmy sculpin in priate broodstock can be obtained. Maintain a captive the spring pool and run. This program should account population and draft a plan for a reintroduction pro - for variation in numbers with habitat type. gram. Include studies of reproductive biology and early 4. Implement regular monitoring of Coldwater and Dry life history as additional components of the captive creeks for pygmy and banded sculpins. breeding program.

Contact Information: Carol Johnston, Department of Contact Information: Stuart A. Welsh, U.S. Geological Fisheries, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849; Phone: Survey, West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife (334) 844-1781; Email: [email protected]. Research Unit, West Virginia University, Room 322 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506; Phone: (304) 293- 5006; Email: [email protected]. Crystallaria cincotta – Diamond Darter Other Contributing Authors: Background: One of only two species of darters in the Robert M. Wood, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO. genus Crystallaria , the diamond darter (maximum size 3 Tim L. King, U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown, WV. in [77 mm] SL) was described recently (Welsh and Wood, 2008) and not yet been reviewed for federal listing, but is considered critically imperiled in West Virginia (WVDNR, Etheostoma chermocki – Vermilion Darter 2007). Previous conservation actions include genetic analyses (Wood and Raley, 2000; Morrison et al., 2006), a Background: This brightly colored darter (maximum size distribution and habitat assessment (Osier, 2005), and a 2.4 in [60 mm] SL) was described in 1992 (Boschung et al., threat assessment (Strager, 2008). 1992) and was listed as federally Endangered in 2001 (USFWS, 2001). It is state protected in Alabama (ALD - Distribution: Historically occurred within the Ohio River WFF, 2007) and considered a species of Highest basin in the Cumberland, Elk, Green, and Muskingum Conservation Concern (Blanchard and Drennen, 2004). River drainages in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Previous conservation actions include status surveys Virginia (Welsh and Wood, 2008; Welsh et al., 2009). (Blanco et al., 1995; 1996; Blanco and Mayden, 1997; Stiles Extirpated from Kentucky (Burr and Warren, 1986), Ohio and Blanchard, 2003; Khudamrongsawat, 2007), examina - (Trautman, 1957), and Tennessee (Etnier and Starnes, tion of population genetics (Khudamrongsawat, 2007), a 1993); extant within the lower 36 km of the Elk River in life history study (Khudamrongsawat et al., 2005), and west-central West Virginia (Cincotta and Hoeft, 1987; propagation techniques using the Warrior darter Welsh and Wood, 2008). (Etheostoma bellator ) as a surrogate (Rakes and Shute, 2005a). In addition, a federal recovery plan has been Abundance: No population estimates available; very rare. developed for this species (USFWS, 2007b). Despite concerted sampling efforts, only 16 individuals collected from Elk River in 28 years; 12 individuals collect - Distribution: Restricted to only 12 km of Turkey Creek ed during the period of 1980 to 2005 (Welsh and Wood, and two of its in the Locust Fork system of the 2008) and 4 collected in 2008 (S. Welsh, unpublished data). Black Warrior River drainage in north-central Alabama (Blanchard and Drennen, 2004). Threats: Reduced range increases vulnerability to extinc - tion. Large dams, river channel and flow modifications, Abundance: Small population estimated from 1,667 to water quality degradation from urban and rural sources, 2,919 individuals in the late 1990s (Blanco, 2001). Variably excessive sedimentation, and the effects of habitat frag - common at scattered locations within its range, however mentation are likely principal causes for its widespread several populations have shown significant decline since extirpation. Its rarity in the Elk River may be attributed to 1990s (Stiles and Blanchard, 2003; USFWS, 2007b). degradation of benthic habitats by sedimentation (Grandmaison et al., 2003; Strager, 2008). Threats: Extremely small native range and fragmented populations within that range plus benthic specialization increases vulnerability to extinction. The species occu -

15 December 2009 Kuhajda et al. – The Desperate Dozen pies an area of increasing and often poorly regulated urban southwestern Kentucky. It is currently known from 16 and industrial development which has lead to heavy sedi - sites in five streams in the upper half of Bayou du Chien mentation, eutrophication, streambed modifications, as drainage (Piller and Burr, 1998). well as flashy runoff and fluctuating flows (Blanchard and Drennen, 2004; USFWS, 2007b). Abundance: Rare, population size estimated as 9,533–31,293 individuals occupying 47 linear km (29.3 mi.) Proposed Conservation Actions: of stream (Piller and Burr, 1998). Current population size 1. Continue to work with public and private stakeholders and abundance estimates are unknown. on sustaining and improving the watershed manage - ment plan designed to encourage best management Threats: Extremely small native range and population practices in construction, forestry, and agriculture. fragmentation resulting from habitat deterioration increas - Efforts should be made to help reduce sedimentation, es vulnerability to extinction. Current regulatory mecha - nonpoint source pollution, and stormwater runoff and nisms have been inadequate to prevent negative impacts to also improve water quality while protecting and existing populations from channelization, riparian vegeta - enhancing riparian zones. Current stakeholders, tion removal, siltation from poor land-use practices, including Jefferson County, the city of Pinson, the drainage of riparian wetlands, and pollutants from munic - Society to Advance Resources at Turkey Creek, ipal wastewater plants, resource extraction activities, and Freshwater Land Trust, and the State of Alabama, have agricultural livestock operations. Low abundance levels made significant gains in protecting the area within the observed make populations more vulnerable to extirpation Turkey Creek watershed . from toxic chemical spills, habitat modification, siltation, 2. Establish regular status surveys of existing populations and nonpoint-source pollution (Piller and Burr, 1998). and continue monitoring stream habitats, water quality, and flows. Proposed Conservation Actions: 1. Continue to protect, restore, and enhance habitat qual - 3. Obtain additional life history and habitat data. ity throughout the drainage through cooperative efforts 4. Develop and implement a habitat restoration plan. by federal and state agencies and private stakeholders, especially in areas where reproduction has been docu - Contact Information: Bernard Kuhajda, Department of mented (e.g., Jackson Creek). Biological Sciences, Box 870345, University of Alabama, 2. Complete new survey of Bayou du Chien drainage to Tuscaloosa, AL 34587-0345; Phone: (205) 348-1822; Email: determine current status and distribution of the relict [email protected]. darter and associated fish species. 3. Evaluate genetic exchange between populations and Other Contributing Author: Robert A. Stiles, Samford genetic variation within populations to assess long- University, Birmingham, AL. term viability of the species. 4. Determine habitat preferences and movements of lar - Etheostoma chienense – Relict Darter vae and juveniles. 5. Further explore the use of artificial spawning sub - Background: The relict darter only reaches a maximum strates (ceramic tiles, etc.) to enhance reproduction. size of 3 in [76 mm] SL. It was described in 1992 (Page et al., 1992) and listed as federally Endangered in 1993 Contact Information: Matthew R. Thomas, Kentucky (USFWS, 1993). It is listed in Kentucky as Endangered and Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Fisheries is considered a species in need of conservation action Division, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601; (KSNPC, 2005; KDFWR, 2005). A draft recovery plan was Phone: (502) 564-7109, ext. 4463; Email: issued in 1994 (USFWS, 1994b), but a final plan has not [email protected]. been completed. A 5-year review was recently completed (USFWS, 2008). Previous conservation actions include Other Contributing Authors: information on distribution and abundance, threats, and Michael A. Floyd, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Frankfort, reproductive biology. For example, the use of artificial KY. spawning substrates, such as ceramic tiles, has been found Kyle R. Piller, Southeastern Louisiana University, to enhance reproduction (Piller and Burr, 1999). Other Hammond, LA. conservation actions included increased efforts to work Brooks M. Burr, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, cooperatively with landowners to restore habitat and IL. reduce impacts through better land use practices (e.g., Partners for Fish and Wildlife projects). Distribution: Endemic to the Bayou du Chien drainage, a direct of the , in extreme

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Etheostoma rubrum – Bayou Darter the system by establishing conservation easements and streamside buffer zones and also implementing bank Background: The bayou darter is one of the smallest stabilization programs to restore previously damaged members of the subgenus , only reaching a areas. Some examples of these efforts include estab - maximum size of 2.2 in [57 mm] SL (Page, 1983; Ross, lishing Partners for Fish and Wildlife agreements with 2001). It was described in 1966 (Raney and Suttkus, 1966) landowners for small-scale bank stabilization projects, and was listed as Threatened in 1975 (USFWS, 1975). It is continued dialogue between USFWS and timber com - designated by Mississippi as Endangered (MMNS, 2001). A panies concerning the importance of watershed conser - revised recovery plan was approved in 1989 (USFWS, vation, and providing recommendations to Mississippi 1989b). Previous conservation actions include status sur - Department of Transportation and National Park veys (Ross et al., 1992), population estimates (Ross et al., Service regarding bank stabilization projects in proxim - 2001), conservation genetics (Wood, 1996; Slack et al., in ity to the Bayou Pierre watershed. press ) and studies focusing on basic life history (Knight 3. Restrict gravel mining in or near Bayou Pierre. and Ross, 1992; 1994; Ross and Wilkins, 1993; Slack et al., 2004). Contact Information: Todd Slack, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS Distribution: The bayou darter inhabits Bayou Pierre 39202-1353, Phone: (601) 354-7303, ext. 111; Email: and lower sections of its major tributaries in southwestern [email protected]. Mississippi (Ross et al., 1992; 2001; Slack et al., 2004). The species tends to not occur in headwater reaches and is Other Contributing Author: Stephen T. Ross, Museum noticeably absent from Little Bayou Pierre despite the of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, occurrence of suitable habitat (Ross et al., 1992). Albuquerque, NM. Abundance: Greatest densities occur in the zone of active headcutting, primarily in the middle section of Percina aurora – Pearl Darter Bayou Pierre and the lower portion of Foster Creek, rang - ing from 3–10 individuals/m 2, but most sites with darters Background: The Pearl darter only reaches a maximum support <1 individual/m 2 (Ross et al., 2001). size of 2.4 in [60 mm] SL. It was described in 1994 (Suttkus et al., 1994) and listed as a Candidate for federal protection Threats: Extremely small native range and population in 1999 (USFWS, 1999). It is designated by Mississippi as fragmentation resulting from headcutting increases vul - Endangered (MMNS, 2001). Previous conservation actions nerability to extinction. Bayou Pierre is experiencing include status surveys (Bart and Piller, 1997; Bart et al., accelerated erosion in the form of headcutting as the sys - 2001; Ross et al., 2000; Slack et al., 2002; 2005), conserva - tem stabilizes from downstream channel modifications tion genetics (Dugo et al., 2008), and studies focusing on such as meander cutoffs, channelization, and in-stream captive propagation (Ross et al., 1998; Schofield et al., and bankside gravel mining (Patrick et al., 1991a; b; Ross 1999; CFI, 2003; Schofield and Ross, 2003). et al., 2001). The bayou darter has moved upstream fol - lowing the zone of active erosion in response to develop - Distribution: The species is historically known only from ment of upstream riffle habitat (Ross et al., 1992; Ross et the Pearl and Pascagoula River drainages in south-central al., 2001). From 1940 to 1994, the rate of knickpoint move - and southeastern Mississippi and extreme eastern ment has varied from 48 to 750 m/year (Patrick et al., Louisiana. Pearl darters have not been taken in the Pearl 1991b; Ross et al., 2001). Once the headcutting cycle River since 1973 and are considered extirpated from that reaches the headwaters, however, it is uncertain how system (Suttkus et al., 1994; Bart and Piller, 1997). much suitable habitat will remain. While headcutting results in the creation of upstream riffle habitat, it also Abundance: The species is uncommon and rarely promotes sedimentation of suitable downstream habitat. encountered in routine sampling. In targeted sampling it The bayou darter continues to persist downstream of the has been collected in abundances as high as 58 individuals active headcut, but in low numbers. per day in the Pearl River and 32 individuals per day in the Pascagoula River (Slack et al., 2005). No population esti - Proposed Conservation Actions: mates are available. 1. Reduction or cessation of activities that exacerbate headcut formation and knickpoint migration. Threats: The species persists only in the Pascagoula 2. Continue promoting landowner cooperation by negoti - River system and thus occupies less than 50% of its former ating cooperative agreements with local stakeholders range. The Pearl darter depends on mainstem portions of (board of supervisors, private landowners, timber com - rivers, and its demise in the Pearl River was likely the panies, highway departments) to reduce erosion within result of completion of Ross Barnett Reservoir, which

17 December 2009 Kuhajda et al. – The Desperate Dozen caused geomorphic instability in the lower Pearl River, were unsuccessful (Rakes and Shute, 2005b). Ongoing and low sill dams constructed to serve the West Pearl efforts funded by USFWS, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Navigation Waterway, which blocked migration to Geological Survey include a study of conservation genetics upstream spawning areas. This species is vulnerable to (George et al., in review ), surveys to estimate occupancy nonpoint-source pollution, urbanization, and changes in and detection (Freeman et al., 2006), and water quality river geomorphology due to its localized distribution (Bart monitoring in the Conasauga River (Freeman et al., 2006). et al., 2001; Schofield and Ross, 2003). Increased urban and commercial development within the Pascagoula River Distribution: Restricted to 55 river km of the mainstem watershed may result in increased runoff, sedimentation, Conasauga River (Coosa River system of the Mobile Basin) and water withdrawal and discharge from the waterway. in northwestern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee (Thompson, 1985; George et al., in review ). Proposed Conservation Actions: Abundance: 1. Investigate geomorphic changes in the Pearl and The best available estimate suggests a popu - in review Pascagoula river systems and the relationship of these lation size of 200 adults (George et al., ). Over changes in the Pearl River to Ross Barnett Reservoir the past 20 years, numbers observed at historic localities and flow regime changes in the West Pearl River. have consistently declined and some localities are no Explore conservation advantages of removing low sill longer being occupied by the species (Freeman et al., dams associated with the defunct West Pearl 2006). Navigation Waterway. Threats: Extremely small native range increases its vul - 2. Continue developing protocols for captive rearing nerability to extinction. Poor agricultural practices have including thermal tolerances and survivorship. The led to sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, and pesticide USFWS initiated a propagation program for this species runoff, resulting in a decline in the water quality (GADNR, in 2003 with Conservation Fisheries, Inc. (CFI), but the 1998; Roghair et al., 2001). Conasauga logperch are partic - program has been met with limited success. ularly susceptible to siltation, which interferes with their 3. Develop a more integrated program demonstrating the feeding mode of flipping rocks during foraging (Jenkins importance of maintaining natural hydrologic regimes and Burkhead, 1994). Recent flooding and drought events and adequate bankside vegetation in the Pearl and may have further jeopardized this species and increasing Pascagoula rivers. A partnership of the Pascagoula suburban development with competing demands for water River Watershed Team, the USACE, the Pearl River pose future threats (Freeman et al., 1996). Water Management District, and The Nature Conservancy could develop such a program. Proposed Conservation Actions: 1. Riparian buffers should be installed to filter agricultur - al runoff and fencing erected to prevent livestock from Contact Information: Henry L. Bart, Jr., Tulane entering the river. University Museum of Natural History, 3705 Main Street, Belle Chasse, LA 70037; Phone: (504) 394-1711; Email: 2. Outreach programs on ways to minimize stressors to [email protected]. the Conasauga River should be increased for landown - ers, government officials, and local students. Other Contributing Author: Todd Slack, Mississippi 3. Pilot captive propagation projects need to continue for Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. ark populations or augmentation. Captive propagation must be done in conjunction with genetic analyses due to the small population size of the species. Percina jenkinsi – Conasauga Logperch 4. Continue meetings with local government officials and other stakeholders to develop ordinances and guide - Background: A long, tiger-striped darter (maximum size lines to minimize the impact of future urbanization on 4.6 in [116 mm] SL), the Conasauga logperch was first cap - the river. tured in 1969 and described in 1985 (Thompson, 1985). It 5. The cause of the recent decline in aquatic vegetation, was listed as federally Endangered with critical habitat particularly river weed ( Podostemum ), must be deter - designated in 1985 (USFWS, 1985) and a recovery plan was mined and reversed. completed in 1986 (USFWS, 1986). The Conasauga log - is designated by Georgia and Tennessee as Endangered (TDEC, 2004; GADNR, 2006). Previous con - Contact Information: Anna L. George, Tennessee servation efforts have largely focused on habitat restora - Aquarium, 1 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37401; Phone: tion with cooperative landowners, including stream bank (423) 785-4171 or (706) 694-4419; Email: [email protected]. restoration and installing riparian buffers. Captive propa - gation was attempted by CFI in 2002, but initial efforts

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Other Contributing Authors: Proposed Conservation Actions : David A. Neely, Tennessee Aquarium Research Institute, In early 2008, a conservation summit was hosted by Chattanooga, TN. USFWS for the spring pygmy sunfish. The following con - Megan Hagler, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. servation actions are derived, in part, from a list of priori - Byron J. Freeman, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. ties produced at that meeting.

1. Purchase property within the watershed and recharge Elassoma alabamae – Spring Pygmy Sunfish area, especially within 150 feet of spring pools, wet - lands, and spring runs (Warren, 2004). Background: The spring pygmy sunfish is one of the 2. Establish a water resource management plan for smallest fishes in the Southeast, with a maximum size of 1 Beaverdam Creek, which regulates and schedules all inch (25 mm) SL. In 1938, the only known population municipal and agricultural withdrawals of surface and (Cave Spring, Lauderdale Co., AL) was extirpated with the groundwater within the watershed and aquifer, and formation of Pickwick Reservoir. Another population dis - monitors groundwater levels and chemistry, with the covered in 1941 at Pryor Spring (Limestone Co., AL) was ultimate goal of maintaining acceptable spring flow and extirpated by 1945 from aquatic herbicide treatment minimum water levels in spring pools. (Jandebeur, 1979). The species was thought extinct until 3. Determine the recharge area of the local aquifer. its rediscovery in Beaverdam Creek (Limestone Co., AL) in 1973. It was proposed for federal listing in 1979, but the 4. Develop a regulation that limits the amount of impervi - proposal was never finalized (J. Williams, pers. comm.). ous surface over the recharge zone, and identifies The spring pygmy sunfish was described in 1993 (Mayden, appropriate riparian buffers (91 m or 300 feet) sur - 1993). It is state protected in Alabama (ALDWFF, 2007) rounding Beaverdam Creek and all confluent spring and considered a species of Highest Conservation Concern pools. (Warren, 2004). A recent status review recommends this 5. Continue to develop captive husbandry protocol in col - species be reconsidered for federal protection (Conway laboration with CFI, the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity and Mayden, 2006). Center, or the Riverbanks Aquarium in Columbia, SC.

Distribution: A single population occupies a five-mile Contact Information: Michael Sandel, Department of stretch of Beaverdam Creek in north-central Alabama Biological Sciences, Box 870345, University of Alabama, (Sandel, 2008). In the mid 1980s, populations were re- Tuscaloosa, AL 34587-0345; Phone: (205) 348-1788; Email: established in two spring pools at Pryor Branch (Mettee [email protected]. and Pullium, 1986), but suffers from groundwater with - drawal, herbicide application, and inbreeding, and may be re-extirpated. LITERATURE CITED

Abundance: Rare and localized. May exceed 1 fish per Abell, R.A., D.M. Olsen, E. Dinerstein, P.T. Hurley, J.T. cubic meter in optimal habitat of shallow vegetated areas Diggs, W. Erichbaum, S. Walters, W. Wettengel, T. of five spring pools, but low densities elsewhere in Allnutt, C.J. Loucks and P. Hedao. 2000. Freshwater Beaverdam Creek (Sandel, 2008). ecoregions of North America. A conservation assess - ment. Island Press, Washington, DC. Threats: Extremely small native range and spring special - ALDWFF (Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater ization increases vulnerability to extinction (Mayden, Fisheries). 2007. Alabama regulations 2007–2008. 1993). Chronic drought and increased irrigation has Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural reduced spring flows and desiccated shoreline aquatic veg - Resources, Montgomery, AL. 128 pp. etation, eliminating critical habitat for this species. Of Bart, H.L., Jr., and K.R. Piller. 1997. Status survey of the seven spring pools occupied by the spring pygmy sunfish, Pearl darter ( Percina aurora ) in the Pascagoula River five are pumped for irrigation at rates of up to 16,000 gal - system. Final project report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife lons per minute (over four times the discharge rate during Service, Jackson, MS. 17 pp. summer), and three were completely drained in 2007, Bart, H.L., Jr., K.R. Piller, and N.E. Rios. 2001. resulting in the extirpation of two subpopulations and a of the Pearl darter ( Percina auro - 99% reduction in the third (Sandel, 2008). Rapid industrial ra ) in the Chunky, Chickasawhay and Bowie rivers and suburban growth threatens Beaverdam Creek with and Okatoma Creek, Mississippi. Final project report. contamination, further groundwater withdraw, disruption U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson, MS. 16 pp. of aquifer recharge via impervious surface runoff, and sed - Blanchard, P.D., and D. Drennen. 2004. Vermilion darter, imentation (Warren, 2004). In light of these threats, it is Etheostoma chermocki . Pp. 188–189 In : R.E. Mirarchi, imperative that USFWS list the spring pygmy sunfish as J.T. Garner, M.F. Mettee, P.E. O’Neal (eds.) Alabama Endangered.

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wildlife. Volume 2. Imperiled aquatic mollusks and Tennessee. Report submitted to the Tennessee Wildlife fishes. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, AL. Resources Agency, Nashville, TN. 24 pp. Blanco, C.C. 2001. Historical ecology, land use associa - Burr, B.M., D.J. Eisenhour, and J.M. Grady. 2005. Two new tions, and species habitat associations of the vermilion species of Noturus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) from the darter ( Etheostoma chermocki ) in the upper Turkey Tennessee River drainage: description, distribution, Creek watershed, tributary of Locust Fork, Black and conservation status. Copeia 2005(4):783–802. Warrior River drainage, Alabama. Unpublished Ph.D. Burr, B.M., and M.L. Warren. 1986. A distributional atlas of dissertation, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. 195 Kentucky fishes. Kentucky Nature Preserves pp. Commission, Frankfort, KY. 398 pp. Blanco, C.C., B.R. Kuhajda, and R.L. Mayden. 1995. Status Campton, D.E., A.L. Bass, F.A. Chapman, and B.W. Bowen. survey of the vermilion darter ( Etheostoma chermoc - 2000. Genetic distinction of pallid, shovelnose, and ki ) in Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Locust Fork, Alabama sturgeon: emerging species and the U.S. Black Warrior River drainage in Jefferson County, Endangered Species Act. Conserv. Genet. 1:17–32. Alabama. Unpublished final report submitted to CFI (Conservation Fisheries, Inc.) 2003. Propagation and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural culture of the Pearl darter, Percina aurora . Interim Resources, Montgomery, AL and the U.S. Fish and progress report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Wildlife Service, Jackson, MS. 24 pp. Jackson Field Office, MS. Blanco, C.C., B.R. Kuhajda, and R.L. Mayden. 1996. Status Cincotta, D.A., and M.E. Hoeft. 1987. Rediscovery of the survey of the vermilion darter ( Etheostoma chermoc - , Ammocrypta asprella , in the Ohio River ki ) in Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Locust Fork, basin. Brimleyana 13:133–136. Black Warrior River drainage in Jefferson County, Conway, K.W. and R.L. Mayden. 2006. Threatened fishes of Alabama. Unpublished final report submitted to the world: Elassoma alabamae Mayden, 1993 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural (Elassomatidae). Environ. Biol. Fishes 75:195-196. Resources, Montgomery, AL and the U.S. Fish and Cooper, J.E., and R.A. Kuehne. 1974. Speoplatyrhinus Wildlife Service, Jackson, MS. 17 pp. poulsoni , a new genus and species of subterranean Blanco, C.C., and R.L. Mayden. 1997. Status of the vermil - fish from Alabama. Copeia 1974:486–493. ion darter, Etheostoma chermocki , in Turkey Creek, Davis, B.J., and H.W. Reno. 1966. Rediscovery of the slen - Jefferson County, Alabama, 1996–1997. Unpublished der chub, Hybopsis cahni Hubbs and Crowe final report submitted to Alabama Department of (Cyprinidae) at the type locality in Claiborne County, Conservation and Natural Resources, Montgomery, AL Tennessee. Southwest. 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GADNR (Georgia Department of Natural Resources). 1998. conservation strategy. http://fw.ky.gov/kfwis/stwg/ Coosa River basin management plan. Environmental (Date updated 9/21/2005). Protection Division, Atlanta, GA. Khudamrongsawat, J. 2007. Comparative study of life his - GADNR. 2006. Protected species of plants and animals, tory and population structure of the endangered ver - amended. Wildlife Resources Division, Social Circle, milion darter ( Etheostoma chermocki ) and its sister GA. 7 pp. species, the Warrior darter ( E. bellator ). Ph.D. disser - George, A.L., D.A. Neely, and R.L. Mayden. In review. tation, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. Conservation in a phylogenetic framework: comparing Khudamrongsawat, J., D.A. Arrington, B.R. Kuhajda, and genetic signatures of decline in two endangered fresh - A.L. Rypel. 2005. Life history of the endangered vermil - water fishes from the Appalachians. Am. Midl. 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116:A168-A171. species. Environ. Biol. Fishes 55:145–155. Master, L.L. 1990. The imperiled status of North American Possingham, H.P., S.J. Andelman, M.A. Burgman, R.A. aquatic animals. Biodivers. Network News 3(3):5-8. Medellín, L.L. Master, and D.A. Keith. 2002. Limits to Master, L.L. 1991. Assessing threats and setting priorities the use of threatened species lists. Trends Ecol. Evol. for conservation. Conserv. Biol. 5:559-563. 17:503-507. Mayden, R.L. 1993. Elassoma alabamae , a new species of Postel, S. 2002. Human alterations of Earth’s fresh water: pygmy sunfish endemic to the Tennessee River scale, consequences, and a call to action. Pp. 1-3 In drainage of Alabama (Teleostei: Elassomatidae). Bull. M.M. Holland, M.L. Warren, Jr., and J.A. Stanturf, eds. Ala. Mus. Nat. Hist. 16:1–14. Proceedings of a conference on sustainability of wet - Mayden, R.L., and B.R. Kuhajda. 1996. Systematics, taxon - lands and water resources: how well can riverine wet - omy, and conservation status of the endangered lands continue to support society into the 21st centu - Alabama sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus suttkusi Williams ry? Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-50. Asheville, NC: U.S. and Clemmer (, Acipenseridae). Copeia Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern 2:241–273. Research Station. Mettee, M.F., Jr., and J.J. Pulliam, III. 1986. Reintroduction Purvis, A., J.L. Gittleman, G. Cowlishaw, and G.M. Mace. of an undescribed species of Elassoma into Pryor 2000. Predicting extinction risk in declining species. Branch, Limestone County, Alabama. Southeast. Proc. R. Soc. Lond., Ser. B: Biol. Sci. 267:1947-1952. Fishes Counc. Proc. 4(4):14–15. Rakes, P.., and J.R. Shute. 2005a. Vermilion darter propaga - MMNS (Mississippi Museum of Natural Science). 2001. tion/fish video library project. Final programmatic Endangered species of Mississippi. Mississippi report to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Museum Conservation Fisheries, Inc. 11 pp. of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. 123 pp. Rakes, P.L. and J.R. Shute. 2005b. Propagation of the Morrison, C.L., D.P. Lemarie, R.M. Wood, and T.L. King. endangered Etowah darter, Etheostoma etowahae , and 2006. Phylogeographic analyses suggest multiple line - the endangered Conasauga logperch, Percina jenkin - ages of Crystallaria asprella (Percidae: si . Final report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Etheostominae). Conserv. Genet. 7:129–147. Service. Athens, GA. 15 pp. Osier, E.A. 2005. Distribution and habitat use of the crystal Raney, E.C., and R.D. Suttkus. 1966. Etheostoma rubrum , a darter ( Crystallaria asprella ) and spotted darter new percid fish of the subgenus Nothonotus from (Etheostoma maculatum ) in the Elk River, West Bayou Pierre, Mississippi. Tulane Stud. Zool. Virginia. M.S. Thesis, West Virginia University, 13:95–102. Morgantown, WV. Ray, J.M., C.B. Dillman, R.M. Wood, R.L. Mayden, and B.R. Page, L.M. 1983. The handbook of darters. T.F.H. Kuhajda. 2007. Microsatellite analysis of the endan - Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 271 pp. gered river sturgeons ( Scaphirhynchus species) from Page, L.M., P.A. Ceas, D.L. Swofford, and D.G. Buth. 1992. the lower Mississippi River basin. J. Appl. Ichthyol. Evolutionary relationships within the Etheostoma 23:304–312. squamiceps complex (Percidae: subgenus Catonotus ) Richter, B.D., J.V. Baumgartner, J. Powell, and D.P. Braun. with descriptions of five new species. Copeia 1996. A method for assessing hydrologic alteration 1992:615–646. within ecosystems. Conserv. Biol. 10:1163-1174. Patrick, D.M., L. Mao, and S.T. Ross. 1991a. Accelerated Richter, B.D., D.P. Braun, M.A. Mendelson, and L.L. Master. erosion of the Bayou Pierre basin, southwest 1997. Threats to imperiled freshwater fauna. Conserv. Mississippi: characterization and causes. Pp. 36–44 In Biol. 11:1081-1093. B.J. Daniels (ed.) Proceedings of the Mississippi water Rider, S.J., and P. Hartfield. 2007. Conservation and collec - resources conference, 26–27 March 1991, Mississippi tion efforts for the endangered Alabama sturgeon State University, Starkville. (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi ). J. Appl. Ichthyol. Patrick, D.M., L. Mao, and S.T. Ross. 1991b. The impact of 23(4):489–493. geomorphic change on the distribution of bayou Roghair, C.N., J.K. Whalen, J.D. Moran and C.A. Dolloff. darters in the Bayou Pierre system. Museum Technical 2001. An inventory of stream habitat, macroinverte - Report No. 18. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, brate communities, stream sediment, and channel con - Fisheries, and Parks, Museum of Natural Science, ditions in the Conasauga River and Jacks River, Jackson, MS. 116 pp. Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, and Piller, K.R., and B.M. Burr. 1998. 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and larval characteristics of the threatened bayou Parks, Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. 18 pp. darter ( Etheostoma rubrum ) in Mississippi. Copeia Slack, W.T., R.J. Heise, M.A. Dugo, and J.A. Ewing, III. 2002. 1993(4):1127–1132. Status of the Pearl darter (Percidae: Percina aurora ) Ross, S.T., M.F. Cashner, and R. Darden. 2000. Conservation in the Pascagoula River, Mississippi. Final project of the Pearl darter, Percina aurora : Survey of the report, Contract No. 1448-40181-00-G-097. U.S. Fish upper Pascagoula Drainage. Museum Technical Report and Wildlife Service-Jackson Field Office, MS. No. 85. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries Slack W.T., S.T. Ross, and J.A. Ewing, III. 2004. Ecology and and Parks, Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. population structure of the bayou darter, Etheostoma Ross, S.T., J.G. Knight, and S.D. Wilkins. 1992. Distribution rubrum : disjunct riffle habitats and downstream trans - and microhabitat dynamics of the threatened bayou port of larvae. Environ. Biol. Fishes 71:151–164. darter, Etheostoma rubrum . Copeia 1992(3):658–671. Slack, W.T., J.A. Sumners, A.P. Rooney, and C.M. Taylor. In Ross, S.T., M.T. O’Connell, D.M. Patrick, C.A. Latorre, W.T. press. Conservation genetics of the threatened bayou Slack, J.G. Knight, and S.D. Wilkins. 2001. Stream ero - darter, Nothonotus rubrum , in the Bayou Pierre sys - sion and densities of Etheostoma rubrum (Percidae) tem of southwestern Mississippi. Copeia. and associated riffle-inhabiting fishes: biotic stability Stiles, R., and P. Blanchard. 2003. Status survey of the ver - in variable habitat. Copeia 2001(4):916–927. milion darter, Etheostoma chermocki , populations in Ross, S.T., P.J. Schofield, and P. Rakes. 1998. Conservation the Turkey Creek watershed, Jefferson County, of the Pearl darter, Percina aurora : habitat selection Alabama. Unpublished report to the U.S. Fish and and development of a protocol for larval rearing. Wildlife Service, Jackson, MS. 15 pp. Museum Technical Report No. 68. Mississippi Stiles, R.A., and M.L. Warren, Jr. 2004. Pygmy sculpin, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Museum Cottus paulus . Pp. 182–183 In R.E. Mirarchi, J.T. of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. 28 pp. Garner, M.F. Mettee, and P.E. O’Neil (eds.) Alabama Sandel, M. 2008. Conservation genetics and status update wildlife. Volume 2. Imperiled aquatic mollusks and of the spring pygmy sunfish, Elassoma alabamae . fishes. The University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa. Final report submitted to Alabama Department of Strager, J.M. 2008. Diamond darter status review: threats Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of assessment data development. Final report submitted Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Montgomery, AL. 31 to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Elkins, WV. pp. Suttkus, R.D., B.A. Thompson, and H.L. Bart, Jr. 1994. Two Schofield, P.J., S.T. Ross, and P. Rakes. 1999. Conservation new darters, Percina (Cottogaster ), from the south - of the Pearl darter, Percina aurora : habitat selection eastern United States, with a review of the subgenus. and development of a protocol for larval rearing, year Occas. Pap. Tulane Univ. Mus. Nat. Hist. (4):1–46. 2. Museum Technical Report No. 75. Mississippi Taylor, W.R. 1969. A revision of the catfish genus Noturus Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Museum Rafinesque, with an analysis of higher groups in the of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. Ictaluridae. Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus. 282:1–315. Schofield, P.J., and S.T. Ross. 2003. Habitat selection of the TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and , Percina (Cottogaster ) copelandi , a sur - Conservation). 2004. Tennessee natural heritage pro - rogate for the imperiled Pearl darter, Percina aurora . gram rare animals list. Division of Natural Heritage, J. Freshw. Ecol. 18(2):249–257. Nashville, TN. 24 pp. Selin, S. and D. Chevez. 1995. Developing a collaborative Thompson, B.A. 1985. Percina jenkinsi , a new species of model for environmental planning and management. logperch (Pisces, Percidae) from the Conasauga River, Environ. Manage. 19:189-195. Tennessee and Georgia. Occas. Pap. Mus. Zool. La. Shute, P.W., P.L. Rakes, and J.R. Shute. 1997. Status survey State Univ. 61:1–23. of the chucky madtom ( Noturus sp. cf. elegans ). Trautman, M.B. 1957. The fishes of Ohio. The Ohio State Report submitted to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources University Press. 683 pp. Agency, Nashville, TN. 17 pp. USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service). 1975. Simons, A.M. 2004. Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Endangered and threatened wildlife: listing of endan - Erimystax (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) based on the gered and threatened fauna. Federal Register cytochrome b gene. Copeia 2004:351-356. 40(187):44149-44151. Simons, A.M., R.M. Wood, L.S. Heath, B.R. 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recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, plants; review of native species that are candidates or GA. 34 pp. proposed for listing as endangered or threatened; USFWS. 1988. Reclassification of Alabama cavefish from annual notice of findings on resubmitted petitions; threatened to endangered. Federal Register annual description of progress on listing actions. 53(188):37968–37970. Federal Register 70(90):24869–24934. USFWS. 1989a. Pygmy sculpin determined to be threat - USFWS. 2006. Endangered and threatened wildlife and ened. Federal Register 54(187):39846–39849. plants; review of native species that are candidates or USFWS. 1989b. Bayou darter (revised) recovery plan. U.S. proposed for listing as endangered or threatened; Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 46 pp. annual notice of findings on resubmitted petitions; USFWS. 1990. Alabama cavefish, Speoplatyrhinus poul - annual description of progress on listing actions. soni Cooper and Kuehne 1974 (second revision) Federal Register 71(176):53755–53835. recovery plan. Prepared by J.E. Cooper, North USFWS. 2007a. Endangered and threatened wildlife and Carolina State Museum of Natural History. Revised by plants; review of native species that are candidates or J.H. Stewart, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson, proposed for listing as endangered or threatened; MS, for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 17 annual notice of findings on resubmitted petitions; pp. annual description of progress on listing actions. USFWS. 1991. Pygmy sculpin, Cottus pygmaeus Williams Federal Register 72(234):69033–69106. 1968 recovery plan. Prepared by R.G. Bowker, U.S. USFWS. 2007b. Recovery plan for the vermilion darter, Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson, MS, for U.S. Fish Etheostoma chermocki. Atlanta, GA. 38 pp. and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 13 pp. USFWS. 2008. Endangered and threatened wildlife and USFWS. 1993. Determination of endangered status for the plants; 5-year status review of 20 southeastern relict darter and bluemask (=jewel) darter. Federal species. Federal Register 73(146):43947–43948. Register 58(246):68480–68486. USFWS. 2009. Endangered and threatened wildlife and USFWS. 1994a. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; designation of critical habitat for Alabama stur - plants: candidate review for listing as endan - geon ( Scaphirhynchus suttkusi ); final rule. Federal gered or threatened species. Federal Register Register 74:26487-26510. 59(219):58982–59028. VDGIF (Virginia Division of Game and Inland Fisheries). USFWS. 1994b. Technical/agency draft recovery plan for 1987. [Virginia endangered species list]. Virginia the relict darter, Etheostoma chienense . Atlanta, GA. Register of Regulations 3(26): 3045. 44 pp. Vitousek, P.M., H.A. Mooney, J. Lubchenco, and J.M. USFWS. 1999. Endangered and threatened wildlife and Melillo. 1997. Human domination of Earth’s ecosys - plants; review of plant and animal taxa that are candi - tems. Science 277:494-499. dates or proposed for listing as endangered or threat - Warren, M.L. 2004. Spring pygmy sunfish. Pp. 184–185 In ened; annual notice of findings on recycled petitions; R.E. Mirarchi, J.T. Garner, M.F. Mettee, and P.E. O’Neil and annual description of progress on listing actions. (eds.) Alabama wildlife. Volume 2. Imperiled aquatic Federal Register 64(205):57534–57547. mollusks and fishes. University of Alabama Press, USFWS. 2000a. Endangered and threatened wildlife and Tuscaloosa, AL. plants; final rule to list the Alabama sturgeon as Warren, M.L., Jr., B.M. Burr, S.J. Walsh, H.L. Bart, Jr., R.C. endangered. Federal Register 88:26438–26461. Cashner, D.A. Etnier, B.J. Freeman, B.R. Kuhajda, R.L. USFWS. 2000b. Mobile River basin aquatic ecosystem Mayden, H.W. Robison, S.T. Ross, and W C. Starnes. recovery plan. Atlanta, GA. 128 pp. 2000. Diversity, distribution, and conservation status USFWS. 2001. Endangered and threatened wildlife and of the native freshwater fishes of the southern United plants; final rule to list the vermilion darter as endan - States. Fisheries 25:7-29. gered. Federal Register 66(229). Watters, G.T. 1999. Freshwater mussels and water quality: USFWS. 2002. Endangered and threatened wildlife and a review of the effects of hydrologic and instream plants: review of species. Federal Register habitat alterations. Proc. First Freshw. Mollusk 67(114):40657–40679. Conserv. Soc. Symp. 1:261-274. USFWS. 2004. Endangered and threatened wildlife and Weber, A.S., and J.B. Layzer. 2007. Habitat characterization plants: review of species. Federal Register and surveys for the chucky madtom ( Noturus crypti - 69(86):24875–24904. cus ) in the Little Chucky Creek drainage. Report sub - USFWS. 2005a. Alabama sturgeon recovery plan. U.S. Fish mitted to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and Wildlife Service, Daphne, AL. 46 pp. Nashville, TN. 17 pp. USFWS. 2005b. Endangered and threatened wildlife and Welsh, S.A., and R.M. Wood. 2008. Crystallaria cincotta , a new species of darter (Teleostei: Percidae) from the

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Elk River of the Ohio River drainage, West Virginia. Williams, J.D., and G.H. Clemmer. 1991. Scaphirhynchus Zootaxa 1680:62–68. suttkusi, a new sturgeon from the Mobile Basin of Welsh, S.A., R.M. Wood, and K.R. Sheehan. 2009. Alabama and Mississippi. Bull. Ala. Mus. Nat. Hist. Threatened fishes of the world: Crystallaria cincotta 10:17–31. Welsh and Wood 2008 (Percidae). Environ. Biol. Wood, A., P. Stedman-Edwards, and J. Mang. 2000. The Fishes 84:191-192. root causes of biodiversity loss. World Wildlife Fund Wenger, S.J., J.T. Peterson, M.C. Freeman, B.J. Freeman, and Earthscan Publications Ltd., London, UK. and D.D. Homans. 2008. Stream fish occurrence in Wood, R.M. 1996. Phylogenetic systematics of the darter response to impervious cover, historic land use, and subgenus Nothonotus (Teleostei: Percidae). Copeia hydrogeomorphic factors. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1996(2):300–318. 65:1250-1264. Wood, R.M., and M.E. Raley. 2000. Cytochrome b sequence Williams, J.D. 1968. A new species of sculpin, Cottus pyg - variation in the crystal darter Crystallaria asprella maeus , from a spring in the Alabama River basin. (Actinopterygii: Percidae). Copeia 2000:20–26. Copeia 1968:334–342. WVDNR (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources). Williams, J.D. 2000. Cottus paulus : a replacement name for 2007. Rare, threatened, and endangered animals. West the pygmy sculpin, Cottus pygmaeus Williams 1968. Virginia Natural Heritage Program, February 2007. Copeia 2000:302. Available online: http://www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/RareSpecList.shtm.

25 December 2009 Kuhajda et al. – The Desperate Dozen

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29 December 2009 Kuhajda et al. – The Desperate Dozen

1. Alabama sturgeon – Scaphirhynchus suttkusi

2. Slender chub – Erimystax cahni

3. Chucky madtom – Noturus crypticus 4. Alabama cavefish – Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni 5. Pygmy sculpin – Cottus paulus 6. Diamond darter – Crystallaria cincotta 2 7. Vermilion darter – Etheostoma chermocki

8. Relict darter – Etheostoma chienense

9. Bayou darter – Etheostoma rubrum 6 10. Pearl darter – Percina aurora 11. Conasauga logperch – Percina jenkinsi 12. Spring pygmy sunfish – Elassoma alabamae

2 8 3

11 4 12

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FIGURE 1. Distribution of the Desperate Dozen in the southeastern U.S.

30 SLENDER CHUB , Erimystax cahni

ALABAMA STURGEON , Scaphirhynchus suttkusi

RELICT DARTER , Etheostoma chienense PYGMY SCULPIN , Cottus paulus

VERMILION DARTER , Etheostoma chermocki

BAYOU DARTER , Etheostoma rubrum

SPRING PYGMY SUNFISH , Elassoma alabamae CHUCKY MADTOM , Noturus crypticus

ALABAMA CAVEFISH , Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni CONASAUGA LOGPERCH , Percina jenkinsi

PEARL DARTER , Percina aurora DIAMOND DARTER , Crystallaria cincotta